Air India Cat III or lack of it

[flying apprentice]

Not trained to land in heavy fog, AI pilot flies plane back to city - The Times of India (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Not-trained-to-land-in-heavy-fog-AI-pilot-flies-plane-back-to-city/articleshow/45644552.cms)

I'm guessing this is because the crew were not current rather than not being able to do the auto landing like the media portray. I'd be very surprised if AI training didn't include cat III approaches.

Anybody have any other ideas or info why this happened?

[vinayak]

It's bad enough that TOI "made this a news", but for you to share it on PPRuNe is just ridiculing yourself...

Unless you're one of those journos using PPRuNe to fish information.

[flying apprentice]

Why is it ridiculing myself ?

Not a journo. I commend the decision to return.

Just curious why an airline like AI with a reasonably modern fleet (which should be capable of cat iii) had a situation where it could not use it.

Like I said I'm guessing lack of currency. I am sure their crew are sufficiently capable to do the low vis procedure but just had their hands tied by lack of mandated recent sim/actual experience.

[NGFellow]

The crew was obviously not CAT II/III qualified and therefore could not attempt the approach. They may have run out of currency or simply have not been qualified. Airlines were directed to utilize qualified CAT II/III crews when the forecast weather is as such. Many airlines elsewhere choose not to qualify their crews for CAT II/III because of the costs of crew training and maintaining the aircraft when the number of times they actually require it is minimal.

[bucks_raj]

VIDP 241630Z 28005KT 0000 R28/0700 R29/M0050 FG VV// 08/08 Q1020NOSIG
VIDP 241700Z 30005KT 0000 R28/0800 R29/0100 FG VV// 08/08 Q1020 NOSIG
VIDP 241730Z 28004KT 0000 R28/0400 R29/0150 FG VV// 08/08 Q1020 NOSIG
VIDP 241800Z 28006KT 0000 R28/0500 R29/0225 FG VV// 07/07 Q1020 NOSIG

The 787 diverted at 1715Z

VECC >> VIDP

VIJP , the primary alternate for del has its ALS notam'd hence increasing the viz required

VIAR & VILK with CAT II Ils were already whiteout. The kind of traffic fr24 shows in replay for 24th,CAT I would hold due traffic, i rather go back to blue skies and land . A replay showed the 787 did not even leave 400 for a descent into delhi.

Whats the status on the 787 LVTO certification in India

[vinayak]

78s are not certified for CAT3

[A pumps]

If the weather was forecasted then , Why didn't operations send a qualified crew and aircraft ?

[captjns]

A pumps asks... If the weather was forecasted then , Why didn't operations send a qualified crew and aircraft ?

The answer is because you need qualified personnel in operations to send qualified crews. That's why.

[hifly787]

AI's 787 crews are still not certified for CAT 3 landings by the DGCA . As for the return to CCU it is because VAAH VIJP VILK are not the alternates for 787 due lack of Engg personnel and ground support equipment.